Galena’s Main Street has seen upscale home goods and foodie finds replace many of its antiques stores.

Relaxing getaway

The scenery alone could sell it. Fall in Galena inevitably means balmy Indian summer days and winding drives that crest small hills and open up into a Grant Wood-like panorama of small farms nestled in green valleys, golden seas of cornfields and dairy cows dotting the hillsides. A turreted clock tower watches over the town’s white church steeples and Federal-style buildings along the Galena River. Got a camera?

For generations, travelers have come to this town of 3,500 simply to admire the fall foliage and browse charming shops. But Galena is so much more than leaves and Main Street shopping. Tiny businesses selling handmade furniture, organic blueberries and cool home decor tuck into the hills around town. Hikes explore sacred Native American spaces, river cruises ply storied waters, and new (and newly renovated) restaurants help redefine an autumn weekend in Galena.

Click ahead to read 7 reasons we love Galena. A detailed trip guide is on slides 9, 10 and 11.

#1: It’s full of pretty secrets

The best-kept among them: the 90-minute Mississippi Explorer River Cruises run by Chestnut Mountain Resort. Glide along 2-mile-wide stretches of the river in a 45-passenger pontoon boat while naturalists point out eagles’ nests and turkey vultures and reveal how those man-made islands came about. Views of the forested bluffs, alight with fall color, are simply the most breathtaking in a region with many spots vying for that title.

Hardy hikers trek up Casper Bluff, once home to war chief Blackhawk, for commanding views of the Mississippi River. A self-guided tour of the 85-acre plot of land reveals numerous burial mounds, a 1,000-year-old Thunderbird effigy mound and migrating birds, making it an ideal early-morning spot for history lovers and nature fans alike. And just 10 minutes east of town, you can pick your own blueberries at the Wooded Wonderland Country Store and Sawmill. Located at the end of a gravel road off of US-20, this 40-year-old blueberry farm (organic long before the word became cool) also sells handmade furniture.

#2: You’ll find new ways to enjoy the scenery

An inviting deck at Chestnut Mountain Resort offers 1,400 square feet of alfresco dining with a sprawling view of the Mississippi River Valley (and the food impresses, too!). Scooter tours run by Fever River Outfitters let wine lovers get the wind in their hair as they head 12 miles east to Galena Cellars Vineyard for tastings and tours (a shuttle brings you back to town, so you don’t have to drive).

If you’d prefer to stay in your car for a pretty self-guided tour, pick up the 40-mile Stagecoach Trail at the north end of Main Street and follow it through rolling farmland until it intersects with US-20 and loops back to town.

For cool river-level pictures of the Mississippi, follow State-84 to Mississippi Palisades State Park. When you arrive, the road runs along the riverbank. Head farther into the park to find bluff-top lookout points that breed Lewis and Clark-like moments of discovery.

#3: Shops offer fun variety

For many, the lure of Galena is all about the boutiques lining historic Main Street. In addition to a handful of antiques stores, you’ll find a varied selection of clothing and gift boutiques, art galleries, gourmet food shops, toy stores and an excellent used book shop. Galena Garlic Company, with a seemingly endless variety of infused olive oils, offers tastings and more than 160 rubs and seasonings. A world market of clothing, jewelry, housewares and other items made in developing countries fills Earth’s Treasures. Upcycled goods become fun and funky affordable accessories (like a recycled Coke can bag for $12.98) at Beyond the Horizon.

#4: The dining scene has broadened

Longtime favorite Fried Green Tomatoes, tucked into a building once owned by President Grant’s father, still serves as a reliable date-night stop, with mostly Italian dishes and its signature pan-fried appetizer. In a Parisian-style bistro, Fritz and Frites dishes French and German flavors, including homemade liver pâté, sauerkraut and the popular Wiener Schnitzel, as well as a roasted half-chicken with a white wine glaze. Charming Otto’s Place serves breakfast all day in a building dating to the 1800s. Try the cheddar, broccoli or bacon omelet or baba ghanoush (eggplant spread) with hummus and tabouli. The Great-American Popcorn Company, the American Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor and the Galena Kandy Kitchen all are great stops for snacks, too.

An eclectic mix of boutiques, bistros and art galleries fills the historic buildings along Galena’s Main Street.

#5: History feels relevant

Main Street is a marvel of preserved and restored architecture, and touring the Galena and Ulysses S. Grant Museum east of the river is a must-do for history fans. Save time for tours of the Old Market House, once Galena’s center of commerce, and the Washburne House, built in 1843 by a U.S. congressman who advised President Lincoln and served as ambassador to France. Downtown, the small museum-gift shop Gateway to History sells locally made, history-inspired souvenirs.

#6: The wine scene is popping

Tastings and tours at Galena Cellars Vineyard draw folks out of downtown. But in town, you can break up your time shopping with visits to Massbach Ridge Winery and Tasting Room, Galena River Wine and Cheese, and Jamie’s Wine Studio of Galena, all located on Main Street.

#7: Places to stay keep getting better

Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa continues to offer high-end hotel rooms, villas and vacation homes on a picturesque property outside of town. Guests can enjoy golf, a spa, restaurants and activities. The spacious rooms at the Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel don’t feel particularly Irish, but the on-site pub is warm and inviting. Rooms at Chestnut Mountain Resort offer a great place to stay for travelers on a budget. The plush two-bedroom vacation rental property The Cottage on Lake Galena has a full kitchen and a year-round outdoor hot tub looking out over yet another amazing view.